John Marion Pennington

John Marion Pennington, 78, of Crossett, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the St. Francis Medical Center.

John was born on July 17, 1947, to Marion and Bernice Pennington. He was a lifelong resident of Crossett, a 1965 graduate of Crossett High School, and a faithful member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and dependable pillar of his church family.

John found his calling early in life, working at Bob Elliott & Son Jewelers while still in high school. It was there he discovered his natural, God-given talent for jewelry design and repair. He later attended trade school at the Arkansas Rehabilitation Center, learning the craft of watch repair. In 1984, he opened John’s Jewelers and spent over twenty years serving his community. To John, folks who walked through his door weren’t just customers—they were family, and he took pride in doing right by every single one of them.

When he wasn’t at the shop, John loved being outdoors. Whether it was hunting, fishing, or working in his vegetable garden, he found peace in the simple things. He was a kind-hearted man with a good sense of humor, always cutting up and making folks laugh, and he had a way of making people feel right at home with just the tone of his gentle voice.

More than anything, John loved Jesus first and foremost, and that love guided his whole life. Because of that, he loved his family with everything he had—he adored his wife and cherished his time with them all.  John didn’t just talk about his faith, he lived it every day. He believed in it, stood on it, and wasn’t shy about sharing it. He never met a stranger and was known for asking folks if they knew Jesus, always ready to tell what the Lord had done for him. He knew his purpose in this life, and he lived it well—serving the Lord and loving others.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Bernice Pennington.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of fifty-nine years, Cordelia “Corky” Spears Pennington; one daughter, Deedee Manzoor (Amir) of El Paso, TX; one son, Craig Pennington (Susan) of Crossett; and a special adopted son, Terry Barnett, also of Crossett; along with his sister, Carol Baugnet of Crossett; one brother, Danny Ray Pennington of Gilbertsville, KY; one sister in-law, Gearldine Ashley of Glenwood, AR; four grandchildren, Riley, Tori, Avery, and Aminn; one great-grandchild, Indie; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 27th, at Medders Funeral Home, 1564 Hwy 52 W, in Crossett, with Pastor Doug Hibbard and Allen Jackson, officiating, followed by a private interment at Pinewood Memorial Park.  Pallbearers are Mike Smith, James Connors, Bill Rodgers, Barry Dolan, Tod Rice, Eric Bolin, and Timmy Watt.  Honorary pallbearers are Frank Dolan, Terry Barnett, and the Mt. Olive Men’s Sunday School Class #2.

Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m., at the funeral home prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

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